I think the shear amount discussions going on here attest to how good it is. It really is a continuation of season 1 without skipping a beat but does poke some fun at the 5 year gap.
He’s such an amazing actor. Although I couldn’t continue Under the Microscope,because it was too detailed in the legal affairs. Heard it was good to binge. I did enjoy the Hope,though.
Decided to put together a summary of ep 14 (maybe some 13 mixed in) should anyone be interested. In the spoiler…
Ep 14 FX executes his plan to put the blame back on the 2nd prince. With the help of Duo Duo, the 2nd prince’s henchman WWJ is captured while trying to capture FSZ in Bei territory. FX has Intel that the murderers had a criminal history and should have been executed. He has his men kill all three in broad daylight and places the henchman (unconscious) at the scene suggesting that he took orders from the 2nd prince. He cannot reveal truth at he was on a secret mission to capture FSZ for the 2nd prince. He resigns to lying and taking the blame for all the murders to notincriminate the 2nd prince. There is a sad prison scene where we can empathize with his humanity and how he’s a victim in this whole game.
We shift to the northern (Bei) kingdom where Duo Duo takes FSZ to the ‘secret’ spy center that Guo Bao Kun is watching over. Its humor is a much needed break from all the intense scheming. We learn that even though GBK thinks he’s doing a good job, the Bei government knows everything and have been working really hard to make him think he’s doing a good job. Also, FSZ is escorting him back to Qing kingdom and Duo Duo allows them to go.
Back to Qing: official Lai does not believe the henchman WWJ was working independently and believes the 2nd prince is behind all this and even wonders whether the 2nd prince was behind FX’s injury and his dad FJ being poisoned. He visits Fx to collaborate on investigating corruption of the 2nd prince and his allies. He also wants FX and his dad to appear in court to face the charges of ownership of the brothel and forced labor.
Ep ends with FX and FJ appearing at the palace. Emperor moves the hearing from the formal all to his informal study, saying’FX doesn’t deserve to be in the hall’. FX presents the gifts CPP offered him before censorate Lai presents charges of FX.
Rewatched the court episode 10. The second prince was caught off guard having to defend & speak highly of FX in order to save his own skin. They way he spoke and the expression on his face clearly indicated how much he detested doing so but was forced. Excellent acting.
Then the exchanges of looks between the 2nd prince & crown prince and then FX’s devious look at 2nd prince and his responding look as FX’s about to take his next step. If there were some thought bubbles appearing above their heads… I would imagine this:
2nd prince to crown prince - ‘WTH I can’t believe you’re egging him on with your supporters’ Crown prince to 2nd prince - ‘sup.. this is quite a show eh’ FX to 2nd prince - ‘watch my next move’ 2nd prince to FX - ‘don’t you dare!’
1 
We shift to the northern (Bei) kingdom where Duo Duo takes FSZ to the ‘secret’ spy center that Guo Bao Kun is watching over. Its humor is a much needed break from all the intense scheming. We learn that even though GBK thinks he’s doing a good job, the Bei government knows everything and have been working really hard to make him think he’s doing a good job. Also, FSZ is escorting him back to Qing kingdom and Duo Duo allows them to go.
Back to Qing: official Lai does not believe the henchman WWJ was working independently and believes the 2nd prince is behind all this and even wonders whether the 2nd prince was behind FX’s injury and his dad FJ being poisoned. He visits Fx to collaborate on investigating corruption of the 2nd prince and his allies. He also wants FX and his dad to appear in court to face the charges of ownership of the brothel and forced labor.
Ep ends with FX and FJ appearing at the palace. Emperor moves the hearing from the formal all to his informal study, saying’FX doesn’t deserve to be in the hall’. FX presents the gifts CPP offered him before censorate Lai presents charges of FX.
The second prince was caught off guard having to defend & speak highly of FX in order to save his own skin. They way he spoke and the expression on his face clearly indicated how much he detested doing so but was forced. Excellent acting.
Then the exchanges of looks between the 2nd prince & crown prince and then FX’s devious look at 2nd prince and his responding look as FX’s about to take his next step. If there were some thought bubbles appearing above their heads… I would imagine this:
2nd prince to crown prince - ‘WTH I can’t believe you’re egging him on with your supporters’
Crown prince to 2nd prince - ‘sup.. this is quite a show eh’
FX to 2nd prince - ‘watch my next move’
2nd prince to FX - ‘don’t you dare!’